Jane-Frances Echeozo RN, MSN, is the first African born commissioner appointed to the Denver Women Commission and is happy to serve as a co-chair for the Advocacy and Legislative committee, tracking legislations that affect women. As a registered nurse, her experience spans from her work overseas, in USA, and also as the president of Health Success Inc, in Denver. She has great experience in the affairs of women, a community leader, great speaker, and an advocate for women against cultural practices degrading to women. She initiated and co-authored a position statement for International Society for Psychiatric Nurses (ISPN) against female genital mutilation (FGM). She organized and implemented medical mission in Imo State Nigeria, with her team of healthcare professionals, hundreds of individuals were treated for malaria, diabetes, hypertension and eye problems. As a volunteer, she also participated in the ‘9th Health Fair’ in Colorado. In the course of her community work, she featured in Radio show like ‘FM heartland’ in Nigeria and TV in Denver for water project. As Mrs. Centennial 2002, Jane-Frances participated in Mrs. Colorado pageant using that platform to speak on issues affecting women. She demonstrated her knack for advocating for women, when she attended the ‘Commission on the Status of Women’ conference in United Nations and participated actively with women from various countries of the world during concurrent Sessions in New York. Jane-Frances coordinated and founded a non profit women organization, National Council of Women Society, USA. In 2010, the inauguration of this organization had proclamations from the State Governor Mr. Bill Ritter, and the Mayor of Denver, Mr. John Hickenlooper. She has a Masters in Nursing from University of Colorado Denver and is married to Sir. Don Echeozo. She is a very family oriented person and has great love for chess and sports!
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Marcia Helfant has a M.A. in Political Science and an M.S.S. in Social Work. Though starting my work life as a history teacher, for the past 28 years she has have worked in the field of older adult services. In Philadelphia, PA., she was the director of a multi-service program of senior centers and in-home services; a nursing home ombudsman; and a nursing home administrator.
Since moving to Denver 5 years ago to be closer to my children and grandchildren, she has been in my current position as Director of Development and Community Relations for Allied Jewish Apartments, a HUD subsidized and affordable senior housing community in the Cherry Creek neighborhood of Denver. In her work here, she has obtained foundation grants and community wide funding for resident services, written newsletters, created marketing materials and developed a marketing campaign.
She have been on the board of the Denver League of Women Voters, and is currently the Legislative Vice President for the National Council of Jewish Women, CO., a member of the Cherry Creek Network of Business Women and the Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce.
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Ursla Null, currently serves as Aide to City Councilwoman at Large Robin Kneich . With a passion for social and environmental justice, Ursla has committed her professional and personal efforts to the betterment of people and animals in our world. Ursla had the pleasure of serving as the chair of the Advocacy Committee for the Denver Women’s Commission, analyzing and tracking women’s legislation for the commission to support. Additionally, she currently serves on the Denver Human Services Citizen Review Panel, the Animal Care and Control Committee, as well as volunteering with local nonprofits on environmental, social justice and equality efforts. Ursla holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from Western State College of Colorado, a Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology from Central Washington University, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Montana. She enjoys spending her free time hiking in the backcountry of Colorado and other Western states with her husband Matthew and spending time appreciating the importance of family and community.
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Michele Ostrander serves as the Executive Director for the Denver Metropolitan Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. She has worked with Komen since 2005 to help provide quality breast cancer care to all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay. Michele worked with domestic violence and sexual assault survivors for over 12 years prior to her work with Komen. Recently, Michele was named one of the 50 most influential people in Denver by 5280 Magazine.
Michele holds a M.A. in psychology from St. Bonaventure University. She has served on the board of directors for the Friends of Women’s Studies at the University of Houston, taught psychology and women’s studies courses at the University of Houston and the Harris County Community College, and served as the Vice President of Clayton Neighborhood Association. Michele enjoys hiking, camping and enjoying the outdoors with her partner Sofia.
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Toni Panetta, a Colorado native and Littleton resident, holds a master’s degree in international relations from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver.Through her master’s degree work, she served as a contributing editor to the Journal of Public and International Affairs published by Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy and the University of Denver’s Human Rights & Human Welfare review digest. She recently served as one of five U.S. delegates selected by the American Council of Young Political Leaders to meet with political, policy, and community leaders in El Salvador and Guatemala in July 2010 and has completed a Truman Security Project Boot Camp on the U.S. military to deepen her understanding of domestic and foreign policy decisions that affect national security.
Currently, Ms. Panetta serves as political director for NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado, a not-for-profit organization that uses the political process to effect changes in public policy to ensure all Colorado women and their families have access to the information and reproductive health care services they need throughout their lifetimes. As political director, Ms. Panetta coordinates the organization’s public policy and political activities. Prior to joining NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado, Ms. Panetta served as managing editor for the California Association of Realtors®. In that capacity, she was responsible for editorial oversight for publications with combined budgets of $2 million and combined national circulations of 200,000.
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Caitlin Quander , DWC Chairperson, is an attorney with Harris, Karstaedt, Jamison & Powers, P.C. She practices in the fields of insurance defense, corporate civil litigation, premises liability, and appellate research and writing. Prior to joining Harris, Karstaedt, Jamison & Powers, P.C., she served as an Aide and Policy Advisor to Denver City Councilwoman Jeanne Robb for three years. In this role, she worked collaboratively with community and business leaders on complex policy issues including Denver’s recent zoning code update, land use development and property re-zonings, leasing and management of public parks, and land acquisition for a central Denver recreation center. Caitlin also serves on the Legislative Committee for the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association and is an active member of both the Denver and Colorado Bar Associations. Caitlin was born and raised in Billings, Montana and holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington and a J.D. from University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
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Mayra Elena Rosa, Esq. graduated from Montclair State University and obtained her Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law. She is a member of the Colorado State Bar. For the past 15 years, Ms. Rosa has been servicing a diverse group of people which includes socio-economics, language and race in real estate, and family law matters. She has managed to excel in business while maintaining a valuable contact with the community. . She also serves as a quasi-judicial officer for Denver's Board of Appeals; Alternate Member, Denver Advisory Board for the Agency for Human Rights and Community Relations; and A Sertoma Civic Organization member. Ms. Rosa also served as a hearing officer for the Board of Adjustment in Jefferson County (2009). Ms. Rosa enjoys tennis, golf, and spending time with her two wonderful bright children, Kemay and Kevin.